Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo Giulia MOT pass rate for cars first registered 2016–2021 is 86.7% across 29,097 official UK DVSA tests. This report then covers more than 34,382 recorded defect notes for Alfa Romeo Giulia models in that registration band. It shows common faults, MOT pass rates and maintenance trends to help you research the model before you buy.
Unlike a registration check, this report analyses how thousands of similar Alfa Romeo Giulia models have performed at MOT over time — not just one vehicle.
- 86.7%
- MOT pass rateshare of recorded tests that passed
- 29k
- MOT tests analysed29,097 official DVSA records
- 34k
- defect notes recorded34,382 · advisory to dangerous
- 2016–21
- registration yearssnapshot 26 September 2026
A fleet outcome for Alfa Romeo Giulia models registered 2016–2021 — not a reliability score, and not a verdict on one car. Always check the specific vehicle.
Key findings
What the MOT record says about the Alfa Romeo Giulia
- 86.7% MOT pass rate across 29,097 tests.
- 67% of recorded defect notes relate to owner maintenance.
- Tyres account for the largest volume of recorded MOT issues.
- Engine management (MIL) warnings are the most common recurring systemic issue.
- Headlamp alignment appears throughout the vehicle's life, from low to higher mileages.
Failure breakdown
How Alfa Romeo Giulia MOT failures break down
Share of recorded defect notes by category in this age band — not MOT tests and not number of vehicles.
- 66.6%Owner maintenance22,900 notes
- 19.7%Wear & tear6,783 notes
- 2.1%Systemic738 notes
- 11.5%Other3,961 notes
Advisory
27,724
81% of notes
Minor
765
2% of notes
Major
3,054
9% of notes
Dangerous
2,839
8% of notes
Most common owner-maintenance faults
DVSA wording grouped as owner maintenance for this model and age band.
- 1
Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
10,160 notes5.2.3 (e)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Tread is close to (or at) the legal minimum, or wear is concentrated on an edge. That often points to alignment, pressure or suspension issues as well as simple age.
Why it happens
- Under-inflation, poor alignment, aggressive driving or simply delayed replacement push tread below a safe/legal profile.
Buyer tip
- Measure tread across the full width, check tyre age (DOT date) and look for uneven inner-edge wear.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 2
Headlamp aim too low
1,211 notes4.1.2 (a)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- This MOT defect usually indicates incorrect headlamp alignment following adjustment, suspension movement or repair work.
Why it happens
- Aim drifts after suspension work, bumper repairs, bulb changes or simply from road vibration over time.
Buyer tip
- Check beam alignment during inspection and ask whether the lamps were aimed after any recent suspension or bodywork.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 3
Shock absorbers has light misting of oil
319 notes5.3.2 (b)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A damper mounting bush is worn, which can cause knocks, vague handling and accelerated tyre wear.
Why it happens
- Rubber bushes harden and tear with age, road salt and repeated suspension movement.
Buyer tip
- Listen for clunks over speed bumps and have a mechanic check top mounts and lower bushes.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 4
Windscreen washer not working
145 notes3.5 (a)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Washer jets are not delivering fluid. Testers need a clear screen; empty reservoirs, blocked jets or failed pumps are common.
Why it happens
- Empty bottles, frozen/blocked jets, split pipes or a failed pump stop fluid reaching the screen.
Buyer tip
- Top up fluid, test the jets on the driveway, and check for cracked bottles or split pipes in the engine bay.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 5
Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative
140 notes5.2.3 (h)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- The tyre pressure monitoring system is reporting a fault or is clearly not working, so you may not get a dashboard warning of under-inflation.
Why it happens
- Flat battery sensors after tyre changes, damaged valves or control-module faults are common.
Buyer tip
- Confirm whether sensors need replacing after recent tyre or wheel work, and check pressures manually anyway.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 6
Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect
95 notes4.1.2 (c)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- This MOT defect usually indicates incorrect headlamp alignment following adjustment, suspension movement or repair work.
Why it happens
- Aim drifts after suspension work, bumper repairs, bulb changes or simply from road vibration over time.
Buyer tip
- Check beam alignment during inspection and ask whether the lamps were aimed after any recent suspension or bodywork.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 7
Headlamp levelling device inoperative
52 notes4.1.5 (a)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- The automatic or manual headlamp levelling system is not working, so beam height may not adjust correctly with load.
Why it happens
- Failed levelling motors, sensors or switches stop the beam adjusting when the car is loaded.
Buyer tip
- Test levelling controls (if fitted) and treat persistent warnings as a bargaining point.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
- 8
Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault
30 notes7.12 (e)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Electronic stability control is reporting a fault or related wiring damage. Stability aids may be unavailable.
Why it happens
- Sensor, wiring or module faults disable ESC and light the dashboard warning.
Buyer tip
- Check for ESC/ASR lamps on ignition and ask for a scan if any warning stays on.
Severity
- Usually maintenance related
Most common wear & tear faults
DVSA wording grouped as wear and tear for this model and age band.
- 1
Service brake excessively fluctuating rear discs pitted/worn inner
3 notes1.2.1 (e)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Service brake performance could not be fully verified, or a brake is binding/fluctuating. That often points to worn discs, seized calipers or hub issues.
Why it happens
- Seized caliper slides, worn discs or contaminated friction material upset brake balance.
Buyer tip
- Insist on a road test and a proper brake inspection; unresolved binding can destroy pads and hubs.
Severity
- Usually wear related
- 2
Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak Rear silencer
2 notes8.2.2.1 (b)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Emissions could not be completed cleanly, or a leak is likely to upset the reading. Common causes include exhaust leaks, misfires, DPF issues or an engine that will not idle correctly.
Why it happens
- Leaks before the sample point, misfires, DPF problems or unstable idle prevent a valid emissions result.
Buyer tip
- Listen for blow-by at joints, check for recent exhaust/DPF work, and avoid cars that need “easier” emissions excuses.
Severity
- Usually wear related
Most common systemic faults
DVSA wording grouped as systemic patterns for this model and age band.
- 1
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
167 notes8.2.1.2 (h)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- The engine management warning lamp is on or not working. Stored faults can affect emissions, drivability and future MOT results.
Why it happens
- Sensors, emissions equipment or wiring faults store codes that illuminate the MIL.
Buyer tip
- Ask for a diagnostic printout and proof that the underlying fault — not just the lamp — was fixed.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 2
Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material
164 notes1.1.11 (c)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A brake pipe is damaged or heavily corroded. Pipe failure can cause sudden loss of braking effort.
Why it happens
- Road salt, stone chips and age corrode metal pipes, especially along the underbody.
Buyer tip
- Inspect metal pipes along the underbody and near calipers; corroded pipes should be replaced before you rely on the car.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 3
Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction
99 notes8.2.2.2 (g)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- The engine management warning lamp is on or not working. Stored faults can affect emissions, drivability and future MOT results.
Why it happens
- Sensors, emissions equipment or wiring faults store codes that illuminate the MIL.
Buyer tip
- Ask for a diagnostic printout and proof that the underlying fault — not just the lamp — was fixed.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 4
Anti-lock braking system wiring excessively damaged
4 notes1.6 (d)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- The ABS system is reporting a fault or its wiring is damaged. You may lose anti-lock control in an emergency stop.
Why it happens
- Wheel-speed sensors, damaged wiring or module faults set ABS warnings.
Buyer tip
- Scan for ABS codes, check wheel-speed sensor wiring, and do not ignore a lit ABS lamp.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 5
Steering locking device ineffective Track rod end locking nut loose
2 notes2.1.3 (d)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- The steering lock is missing or ineffective. That affects theft protection and can be an MOT failure item.
Why it happens
- Column locks wear, or aftermarket work interferes with the lock mechanism.
Buyer tip
- Confirm the steering lock engages with the key removed and investigate any aftermarket column work.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 6
Exhaust emissions - engine idle speed too high
2 notes8.2.1.2 (e)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Emissions could not be completed cleanly, or a leak is likely to upset the reading. Common causes include exhaust leaks, misfires, DPF issues or an engine that will not idle correctly.
Why it happens
- Leaks before the sample point, misfires, DPF problems or unstable idle prevent a valid emissions result.
Buyer tip
- Listen for blow-by at joints, check for recent exhaust/DPF work, and avoid cars that need “easier” emissions excuses.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 7
Rear Road wheel has a welding defect cracked
1 notes5.2.2 (a)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- A road wheel shows a crack or fracture. That is a structural safety issue, not a cosmetic mark.
Why it happens
- Pothole impacts, corrosion or prior kerbing damage can crack alloy or steel wheels.
Buyer tip
- Walk away or insist on replacement wheels and a re-test — do not treat this as a minor snag.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
- 8
Emissions unable to be completed Engine oil level overfilled
1 notes8.2.1.2 (d)What it means, why it happens, what to check
What it means
- Emissions could not be completed cleanly, or a leak is likely to upset the reading. Common causes include exhaust leaks, misfires, DPF issues or an engine that will not idle correctly.
Why it happens
- Leaks before the sample point, misfires, DPF problems or unstable idle prevent a valid emissions result.
Buyer tip
- Listen for blow-by at joints, check for recent exhaust/DPF work, and avoid cars that need “easier” emissions excuses.
Severity
- Often a recurring model pattern
Alfa Romeo Giulia research summary
Based on over 29,097 official UK MOT tests, Alfa Romeo Giulia models registered between 2016 and 2021 achieve a strong 86.7% MOT pass rate.
The overwhelming majority of recorded MOT defects relate to routine owner maintenance, with tyres, lighting and dampers accounting for most common faults seen on used examples in this age band.
Recurring systemic faults occur far less frequently, although engine management warning lamp (MIL) defects appear consistently across the dataset.
Overall, the data suggests that this generation of Alfa Romeo Giulia is more likely to fail MOT due to maintenance items than widespread design faults, making service history and routine upkeep particularly important when buying used. Shoppers comparing a used Alfa Romeo Giulia should treat this research summary as model-level context before inspecting any individual car.
What this report cannot tell you
This report describes model-level MOT trends, not the condition of any individual vehicle.
Two identical Alfa Romeo Giulia models can have very different maintenance histories.
Use it to understand common patterns before inspecting a specific car — then check that car’s own MOT history.
Year by year
Recent category counts
Defect-note totals by calendar year in the serving extract (not MOT tests, not vehicles, not a prediction).
| Year | Owner maintenance | Wear & tear | Systemic | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,312 | 686 | 70 | 349 |
| 2022 | 3,502 | 1,107 | 76 | 498 |
| 2023 | 4,194 | 1,243 | 99 | 571 |
| 2024 | 4,490 | 1,281 | 149 | 740 |
| 2025 | 4,541 | 1,322 | 155 | 767 |
| 2026 | 2,312 | 705 | 148 | 433 |
All counts are defect notes.
How we classify MOT faults
We group recorded DVSA defect wording into four research categories to help identify whether issues are more likely to reflect routine maintenance, expected wear, recurring model patterns or miscellaneous inspection outcomes.
- Owner maintenance
- Defects often linked to day-to-day upkeep — tyres, lamps, washers and other items a careful owner can usually prevent or fix promptly.
- Wear & tear
- Age- and mileage-related deterioration that accumulates with normal use, even when a car has been looked after.
- Systemic
- Recurring wording and patterns across the model fleet that may point to design, component or known-model tendencies rather than one careless owner.
- Other
- Inspection outcomes that do not sit cleanly in the three groups above, including mixed or less classifiable defect notes.
Dataset: 29,097 official UK DVSA MOT tests · 34,382 defect notes · 2016–2021 registrations · United Kingdom · snapshot 26 September 2026 · aggregated model-level MOT analysis.
Buying a used Alfa Romeo Giulia: practical MOT checks
- 1Measure tyre tread across the full width and check age (DOT date) before you buy.
- 2Ask for a full service history that matches the mileage.
- 3Compare this model with a peer in the same age band, not against a single registration check alone.
- 4Confirm any warning lamps (engine management, ABS, SRS) are investigated, not just cleared.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Alfa Romeo Giulia MOT pass rate for 2016–2021?
- In this extract, Alfa Romeo Giulia shows a 86.7% MOT pass rate across 29,097 recorded DVSA tests.
What drives most Alfa Romeo Giulia MOT defect notes?
- About 67% of recorded defect notes are classed as owner maintenance, with tyres among the highest-volume items.
Is this the same as checking one registration on GOV.UK?
- No. GOV.UK shows one vehicle. This page aggregates MOT outcomes for the Alfa Romeo Giulia model in a fixed UK registration age band so you can research the model before you shortlist cars.
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